DGOMs of India, Pakistan to discuss LoC problems soon

Islamabad: The DGMOs of India and Pakistan will meet soon to discuss ways to reduce tensions on the LoC, with Islamabad on Thursday hoping that such engagements will facilitate the resumption of the stalled composite dialogue.

The "immediate takeaway" of the meeting of the Prime Ministers of the two countries in New York on Sunday was that they agreed to stabilize the situation on the Line of Control (LoC) and that the Directors General of Military Operations would meet soon, said Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry.

"This would lead to further engagements between officials that would eventually extend to the restarting of the composite dialogue," he told a weekly news briefing. Asked when the DGMOs would meet, Chaudhry said: "Work has been initiated and dates are being worked out."

Chaudhry expressed hope that the composite dialogue would restart once the situation on LoC is resolved. He described the meeting between the two Prime Ministers as "positive and constructive".

"All in all, it was a good beginning," he said while responding to a question on the impact of the meeting between the two leaders on the margins of the UN General Assembly. The bilateral meeting took place at the highest level and both leaders agreed the ceasefire on the LoC should be implemented as soon as possible, he said. His comments came a day after the Indian Army said five of its soldiers were injured during anti-infiltration operations launched in Keran sector after 30 to 40 terrorists allegedly tried to cross the LoC at multiple points on September 24.

India and Pakistan have accused each other of violating the 2003 truce on the LoC after five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani forces in August. The two Prime Ministers discussed all issues of relevance to bilateral relations, including Kashmir, Sir Creek, Siachen, sharing of river waters, trade and terrorism," Chaudhry said.

He said Pakistan has a clear stance on the Kashmir dispute, which must be peacefully resolved according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and UN resolutions. "We do not agree that Kashmir is integral part of India. It is an outstanding dispute that needs to be resolved," he said. Referring to the issue of terrorism‚ Chaudhry said Pakistan is a victim of the menace and had "every incentive to work with everyone to get rid" of the scourge.

Replying to a query on Prime Minister Singh's statement that Pakistan was the epicenter of terrorism, he said Sharif has voiced the country's position on all key issues, including terrorism, in clear terms. "Pakistan is waging a valiant struggle to defeat terrorism. We further believe that instead of blame game, it is better to work together to fight terrorism," he said.

Responding to a question about alleged Indian involvement in the unrest in Balochistan‚ he said whenever Pakistan and India will hold talks as part of the composite dialogue‚ Islamabad will raise this issue. Chaudhry further said a good beginning had been made on the issue of halting US drone strikes as international public opinion has started developing against such attacks.